A parish council has ordered residents to take out £5million of insurance – on their garden allotments.

Plot owners have been told to take out public liability cover in case a member of the public trips over a bucket or slips on the muddy terrain.

The gardeners have been quoted premiums of up to £400, even though their annual rent for a plots is just £10. Keith Farmer, who has rented a 6m x 9m allotment for eight years without incident, said he could not afford the premium.

‘It’s absolutely ridiculous and we couldn’t quite believe it at first,’ he said. ‘What on earth is going to happen on an allotment? They’re hardly known for being dangerous are they?’

West Monkton Parish Council wrote to the 11 plot-holders in the village of Monkton Heathfield, Somerset.